THE CARGILL CONNECTION, 

March 2005

Dear friends and supporters,

Greetings to you all! This is a brief follow-up e-mail to let you know how the February State Board of Education meeting went. First of all the swearing-in was a very nice ceremony followed by a reception. Fifteen amazing Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Brownies represented District 8 in the flag ceremony. Many friends came to support me---what a blessing! You can see pictures on the website at www.barbaracargill.com/pictures.htm.

                             

1. The SBOE officers were elected. Don Mc Leroy from College Station is our new vice-chairman and Mavis Knight from Dallas is our new secretary. This is a 2-year term. They will serve with our chairman, Tincy Miller, who was appointed by Governor Perry. 
2. The committee assignments were made and I will be serving on the Planning Committee. We met as a committee and heard updates on charter school applications and on the schedule of fees for teacher certification services. 
3. The TEKS (the state curriculum) for middle and high school math were approved and will be implemented in the fall of 2006. 
4. The Board also approved the readoption of instructional materials for which there has been no price increase from the original purchase price. We were very concerned about textbooks that are now priced much higher than they were just a few years ago when they were first adopted. That is still in discussion. 
5. The Board is also reviewing the use of futures in the PSF (Permanent School Fund) Investment Portfolio.

Other happenings:

*It was such an honor representing the 24 counties of District 8 during the first 3-day State Board of Education meeting of the year. Again, thank you for allowing me to serve you and your children! Our next meeting dates are April 27-29.

*A concerned grandmother has contacted me about the content of some of the essay selections on the TAKS test. Her granddaughter took the English/Language Arts TAKS test as a 10th grader last spring. That TAKS test is now available on the Internet. (I did a Google search to find it.) Needless to say, after reading the essay selection I also became concerned. I am now actively working on improving the quality of reading selections that are chosen for future TAKS tests. Think about it--- we have a captive audience of students taking the TAKS. Let's utilize and maximize that time and give them excerpts from time-honored and morally responsible classics and other fine works of literature.

*Currently the TEKS for elementary math are being revised. If you know an elementary math teacher, a parent, or anyone else who would like to take a look at the proposed changes in this math curriculum, please let me know. I have copies of the K-5th grade math TEKS (with the proposed revisions) that I can e-mail to you. We would especially like to hear from math teachers---this is what they will be teaching our schoolchildren! Please e-mail me at sboe@barbaracargill.com.

 

 

*TEA is about to begin looking at Charter School applications. The applications are bulky but are not hard to read. A checklist is provided and it looks very clear and straightforward. If you are interested in being a reader for Charter School applications, please let me know. TEA would mail the application to you; there is no travel involved. I have already turned in three names of readers from District 8---it is fantastic that people are willing to invest their time in something that directly affects children. Thank you!

*There are many other things “brewing” such as studying kindergarten systems versus single textbook adoptions and keeping track of what is happening during this legislative session. All I have to think about is our precious schoolchildren and how they deserve the best education possible. What an incredible motivation to do the best job I can!

Have a nice, relaxing Spring Break and enjoy time with your children. We will be off to a getaway in Louisiana with two other families…. with eight boys total! (Pray for us!)

Blessings to you all,

Barbara Cargill 
State Board of Education, District 8 
281-465-8095